US delays vote over involvement in Libya

The Republican leadership in the US House of Representatives has postponed a
vote on a resolution that would have demanded an end to US involvement in
Libya within 15 days.

Libyans attending Friday prayers near the courthouse in BenghaziPhoto: REUTERS

By Alex Spillius, Washington

7:00AM BST 02 Jun 2011

The delay was prompted by fears that Leftwing Democrats and Rightwing Republicans would unite in backing the measure and hand President Barack Obama an embarrassing foreign policy defeat.

The vote on a resolution by Democrat Dennis Kucinich was abruptly delayed on Wednesday night as the leaders and the Obama administration realized frustrated congressmen probably would support it.

Nearly three months after Mr Obama launched air strikes to back the rebels battling Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, many in Congress are exasperated with the administration's inability to spell out a strategy.

Forces loyal to Gaddafi and the rebels remain in a standoff, with Nato saying it had decided to extend for another 90 days their military campaign to protect Libyan civilians.

House Republican leaders will hold a special meeting today to consider their next step, including the possibility of rescheduling a vote on the resolution.

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John Boehner, the House Speaker, opposed the resolution, but said he was still seeking answers to questions he raised in a March 23 letter to Mr Obama asking for a clear description of the US mission, the cost of the operation and US objectives.

"The American people deserve answers to these questions. And all of these concerns point to a fundamental question: What is your benchmark for success in Libya?" Mr Boehner wrote.

Mr Kucinich said: "I am disappointed that the president and leadership feel the need to buy even more time to shore up support for the war in Libya. It's not surprising that some are now wondering if a preliminary vote count on my resolution came out in favor of defending the Constitution."

He said that Mr Obama had violated the Constitution because only Congress has the power to declare war. He added that Mr Obama violated the War Powers Act, which requires congressional authorization 60 days after the start of military operations.

Asked if Obama was in violation of the War Powers Act, Mr Boehner said however that the president was not technically in violation of the act.